PhD Final Thesis April 2013.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

Thesis Keith Gale 2013Reflection of the procurement performance model confirms that operational methodsdrive performance as anticipated and that these are readily understood byparticipants. Use of performance measurement provides a focus upon performanceoutcomes provided these engage with operational methods used by constructionmanagement (key dates for projects, contractual records and the like). The ‘a priori’model recognised ten behaviours from published research – of which participantsidentified four in a pilot questionnaire. The ‘a posteriori’ model confirmed three ofthe original behaviours driving performance and an underlying factor for thesociological construct.A generalisation of views from interviews and questionnaires support frameworkagreement performance and reinforces the arrangement of behaviours and culturalawareness. The qualitative views supplement quantitative empirical results in orderto provide a confirmatory convergence.12.5 Impact of this research upon professional practiceThe construction industry has been traditionally viewed as underperforming bypublic sector clients and this has encouraged collaboration methods to be developedin response. Such methods include use of partnering statements (non-contractual),partnering agreements (contractual), framework arrangements (mix of non andcontractual) and framework agreements (contractual). In addition, developments withkey performance indicators and incentivisation methods have all been offered asways of improving and placing performance as embodied culture. Introduction offormalised framework agreements within the UK public sector is a recentphenomenon and the opportunity to study, in detail, the effects of such arrangementsupon performance is extremely limited.A contribution to knowledge offered by thesis is by encapsulating a case studyduring transition from traditional to collaborative procurement. Discussion regardingeffectiveness of public sector framework agreements often produces polarised views,irrespective of public or private sector source. Some practitioners favour frameworkscompletely whilst others are concerned with stifled supply and reduced economiccompetition. A recent central government report, Government Construction Strategy,Cabinet Office (2011) mentions such views.278